“It has to be a believable world,” said Bobs Gannaway, the new
film’s director, in a telephone interview with AOPA. “Then, you will
hopefully forget that it’s animated, and just get into the story.”
The story began coming together while
Planes was still in
production, and Gannaway set out in search of a new mission for Dusty
Crophopper, the central character of both films (voiced by actor Dane
Cook). Once Gannaway learned that agricultural aircraft are also used
for aerial firefighting, it was time to learn how it is done in real
life.
The
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection,
better known as Cal Fire, responded with enthusiasm when Gannaway and
producer Ferrell Barron reached out seeking help. The real-life
firefighters who specialize in backcountry fire suppression invited the
movie crew to tour firefighting bases and observe training exercises.
Barron said Cal Fire Battalion Chief Travis Alexander was particularly
involved throughout the four-year effort to make the film, which opens
July 18. Alexander and others on the Cal Fire staff coordinated numerous
meetings with pilots, smoke jumpers, and others on the firefighting
team. With helicopters added to the cast of characters, the producers
also enlisted renowned aerobatic helicopter pilot
Chuck Aaron, known
for demonstrating a wide range of highly unusual attitudes in Red Bull
colors, because Aaron knows exactly what a helicopter can and cannot do
as well as any pilot flying. Sean Bautista, who consulted on the
original
Planes, also helped steer the storytellers in the right direction. (
Planes opened following a special screening at
EAA AirVenture 2013 and went on to gross nearly $220 million worldwide,
according to BoxOffice.com.)
This second installment is dedicated to firefighters, and is the first animated feature to pay such a tribute, Barron said.
The
“Planes: Fire and Rescue” production team consulted with aviators and
firefighters to create a realistic animated world. Image courtesy of
Disney.
While animated films are typically made with younger audiences in
mind, both producer and director said they were gratified that early
screenings for Cal Fire staff (and families) drew an enthusiastic
response.
“We want aviators to enjoy the film and be excited that it is
accurate,” Gannaway said. “The second thing is, we want the firefighters
to watch the movie and also say that they got it right, or if we
cheated a little bit, they understand why.”
Gannaway confessed there is one particular scene where they did have
to “cheat” a little bit, though he was coy about which particular laws
of physics may have been infringed upon. He said aviators should not
have trouble spotting it, and there was no getting around it, either.
They gave it a lot of thought, and decided in the end that the needs of
the story trumped the need for realism, just once.
“I’m hoping that I got one get out of jail card,” Gannaway said.
